Do you want to chat with a missionary?

Hi I'm Jared

I'm a college student. I'm a runner. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Copy and Share

I am the oldest of five children and have two brothers and two sisters. I grew up mainly in Michigan, but now live in Utah. I am currently a college student studying neuroscience. I love learning about how the all of the many parts of the body work together to make the people each of us are. My goal is to go to medical school after graduation. Though I like school, I really love running. I ran cross country and track in high school and have competed in a number of other races. From a 10k to a marathon to a 200 mile relay race, I've just about done it all. The thing I like best about these races is the chance I have to run them with my friends. I love hanging out and messing around with my buddies, and if we can do that by running a race, all the better. Ultimately, I want to someday run an iron man.

Why I am a Mormon

Copy and Share

I was born into a Mormon family, but that's not why I am a Mormon. As I grew up, I went to church, I read the scriptures, I learned to pray to my Father in Heaven, and listened to what my parents taught me. At first, I did it just because it was expected of me. But as I matured and began making decisions on my own, I started to realize how important the gospel was to me. I learned to recognize the Spirit of God and saw the hand of the Lord in my life. I'm not a Mormon today because my parents were Mormon and that's the way I was raised; I'm a Mormon today because there is a peace and joy that I feel as I live the teaching of the church. As I've followed the commandments and tried to live as Jesus would have, I have grown closer to my Father in Heaven. I wouldn't want to live without that.
My testimony is that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only church on the earth that has all of the pieces of the puzzle. I know that there is a living prophet today. He receives revelation and guides the church the was Christ would if he were on the earth. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he, through the power of God, facilitated the restoration of the gospel and the priesthood. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It truly testifies of Jesus Christ. And most importantly, I know that Jesus is my Savior. I know that He lives and that His atonement for the sins of the world is very real. I love Him, and I know He loves me. That's why I'm a Mormon.

How I live my faith

Copy and Share

I try to live my faith each and every day. I make a conscious effort to act the way Jesus Christ would want me to. I want the way I talk to and about others, the things I choose to do and not to do, and all the other aspects of my life to reflect this mentality. I also have the opportunity to show my conviction by accepting callings, or specific capacities in which to serve. I am currently a teacher in the primary, the organization for children in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I teach the 11 and 12 year-olds. I absolutely love it. Each week I come to class with a lesson designed to teach them a specific principle or story. We all learn a lot, but we have tons of fun doing it.
Another way I have chosen to live my faith is by serving a full-time mission for my church. A full-time missionary gives up two years of their regular life to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who may not have heard it before. I have been called to serve in north-western Colombia. If you read my "About Me" section, then you'll know I am leaving my family, putting an already lengthy education process to become a physician on hold, and, among many other things, giving up running races for two years. It's not an easy sacrifice for me, but because of my desire to act how Jesus Christ would have me act, it's a sacrifice I am more than willing to make.

For Mormons, going to church is more than just an hour or two, once a week. The church is a community where there are several organizations for women, youth and so much more. Watch this video to learn more about what the community means to Mormons.